Vantage to Pomona Heights
Project Overview
Our company is always working to provide safe, reliable electric service to our customers, and to support the needs of the region. As part of this commitment, we are planning a new transmission line in central Washington.
The proposed 60+ mile, 230-kilovolt line will connect the existing Bonneville Power Administration power substation near Vantage and our company's Pomona Heights power substation near Selah, providing critical new transmission reliability in the area.
The new line will benefit customers and the local communities by enhancing the overall operating reliability, flexibility and security of the regional electric transmission grid.
Our company understands how important it is to develop this project in cooperation with area communities and residents, and to coordinate with the planning efforts of local, state and federal agencies. We're committed to working to minimize impacts to the community and the environment from project development, construction and maintenance.
Check this website periodically for updated information, including the latest Vantage to Pomona Heights newsletter (PDF), fact sheet (PDF), frequently asked questions (PDF) and an easement guide (PDF) for property owners.
Project Timeline
This timeline is an estimate based on current available information.
- Public outreach begins – 2008-2010
- Transmission line routing study begins – Late fall 2008
- Public Scoping process begins – Early 2010
- Prepare Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) – 2011-2012
- Preliminary engineering – 2012
- Secure needed permits – 2012
- Secure right of way – 2012
- Construction – 2012-2013
- Project in service – late 2013
Additional Information About the Project
Through public open houses in December 2008, February 2010, and most recently in September 2010, our company received valuable feedback to consider in the placement and design of this proposed line.
Since the September meetings, discussions have continued with landowners, Yakima and Grant county planning officials, and several agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management (lead agency) and U.S. Army Yakima Training Center, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Parties agreed on the next steps to have these new route alternatives formally adopted for consideration.
We are now at that next step – the required federal and state review processes and from those, the selection of the final preferred route. BLM is currently working with various state and federal agencies in the preparation of the federal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), a process that analyzes and compares the alternative routes. This process began in November 2010, and a draft EIS could be completed and available for public review and comment by fall of 2011.
The current routing options are reflected on a simplified map (PDF) or a detailed area map (PDF). Alternative route segments are organized into three analysis zones:
- Zone 1-West: This zone includes an area from the Pomona Heights Substation to east of Mieras Road.
- Zone 2- South: This zone includes an area south of the Yakima Training Center boundary roughly to State Highway 24 and extending east to the Columbia River.
- Zone 3- East: This zone includes the old Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad right of way west of the Columbia River which is in private ownership, and a large area east of the Columbia River in Grant County that includes N Road, the Saddle Mountains and the Vantage substation.
The EIS process will select a final preferred route segment from each analysis zone.
Field studies are currently being conducted, most of which are taking place on public lands. These studies become part of the draft EIS which, once released, will be followed by a public comment period and public meetings. Public comments and input will be evaluated and responses will be prepared and included in the final EIS, which will identify the preferred route along with the record of decision.
Yakima and Grant counties are co-lead agencies for Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) compliance. Yakima and Grant county representatives have said that they will likely adopt the federal EIS to meet SEPA requirements for approvals in their respective counties. The counties will provide additional public notice as required by state and local statutes when completing the SEPA review process.
Once approvals and all other permits and property issues are addressed, construction will begin. Plans are to place the new line in service in 2013.
Public participation
Public input is important, and will contribute to the selection of the final preferred route. We encourage your participation and welcome your comments at all stages of this transmission line development. For more information, please call us toll free at 1-877-620-7678 or e-mail ConstructionProjects@pacificorp.com. Please be sure to include the project name – "Vantage to Pomona Heights" – in your inquiry.
Additional information also is is available on the BLM Spokane District website.
(Updated May 10, 2011)
